Objective: According to the objectification framework, media pressure toward
body models promotes the internalization of beauty ideals that negatively influence
individuals’ body image and self-esteem. Historically, women have been the main
target of sociocultural pressures. However, research has recently suggested that
self-objectification is a male phenomenon as well, which can be inscribed in men’s
body experiences. Nevertheless, fewer studies have specifically focused on the male
experience and general consequences of body-objectification are yet to be extensively
analyzed regarding males’ body image features. The current cross-sectional study
explores the consequences of body-objectification on male body esteem, specifically
testing the predictive role of exercising/dietary habits, body-objectification features,
and SNS-related practices on male body esteem.
Method: A total of 238 male participants (mean age = 24.28 years, SD = 4.32)
have been involved in an online survey. Three hierarchical analyses were performed
to test the influence of objectified body consciousness and social networking-related
experiences (i.e. Instagram intensity use, photo manipulation, selfie feedback
investment) on young men’s body esteem with specific reference to the weight,
appearance, and attribution features of the Body Esteem Scale.
Results: Findings highlighted that body shame played an interesting key role,
influencing negatively all the body esteem dimensions, thus highlighting that
attention needs to be deserved on this feature of OBC regarding males’ experience.
On the contrary, appearance control-related dimensions positively influenced body
esteem. Overall, findings confirmed that objectification theory can adequately mark
a pathway by which media imagery is internalized also by men and may negatively
affect their body esteem.
Conclusions: Despite some limitations, this study may contribute to enlarging
our knowledge on male body image and self-objectification experience and support
literature shattering the stereotype that body dissatisfaction is a “female-exclusive”
issue. Likewise, beyond some questioning positions, these findings also encourage
further exploration of a healthier “control dimension”, including body appearance related activities and beliefs